Falconry – A Griffin on My Hand

It was one of the most elegant hunting methods, the most beautiful hunting method of kings and emperors – hawking or falconry. The origin of this hunting technique is from the riders of the Central AsianSteppes. After the convergence of the East and the West, it was also developed in Europe to a high art.

Already in the first millennium BCE, falconry had spread in all cultural areas and epochs from China, India, Persia and North Africa up to the European Atlantic coasts. From the middle ages, this hunting method was also displayed in Europe in precious manuscripts and in works of art and was well documented. Up until the 18th century, the European royal houses had falcon courts with hundreds of precious falcons and an entourage of falcon masters, falconers and vassals.

The falconry was performed by foot with a hawk and a sparrow or with a horse and with a noble falcon. The falcon’s training demanded a close relationship between animal and people, sensitivity, patience, and discipline. The bird was carried on the gloved fist of the falconer and after the attack in the wild, was taken back into this position.